Modifying a Bianchi Military Holster?

[Mainsail]

I have a Bianchi standard military flap holster (M-12) that I use to carry my Glock G20SF for hiking. I recently acquired a G29SF to have a more compact and lighter package. I could carry it in the Bianchi holster except the weirdness in me objects to having extra holster below the gun, so I would like to have one of my Bianchi holsters modified to trim all that off for a more proper fit.

I took the holster to Tactical Tailor in Lakewood (WA) but the guy kinda hemmed and hawed about doing it. He mentioned something about the plastic rivet at the trigger guard area that he would have to remove and couldn’t replace. For a company that supposedly specializes in tactical tailoring and custom holsters, they didn’t seem to have any ideas. He was trying to steer me towards one of their off-the-shelf holsters for like the G17 which didn’t really fit (too tight) and still had extra holster below the gun. In the end it was a long drive for nothing.

The Bianchi attachment system lends itself to backpacking and hiking. There’s no possible way to thread the pack’s belt through a regular holster’s belt slots because the plastic buckle is WAY too big to fit. The Bianchi military holster allows you to attach it down over the belt.

Does anyone know where I could have a Bianchi holster so modified? I can’t imagine it would be much work for someone who knows what they’re doing.

EDIT to clarify: I want someone to disassemble the holster enough to trim about an inch or so off the bottom and then sew it back together.

 

[rcmodel]

I am fresh out of a UM-84 to look at right now.

But I would think any Shoe Repair shop, or Horse Tack repair shop should be able to do it.
All it would take is an industriel sewing maching capable of sewing thick leather, or a nylon sandwich. And a guy who knows how to operate it.

Failing that, it could be hand sewn using a saddlers awl and nylon thread used in leather work.

I don't know about the rivet, but any standard double rivet used in leather work should work just as well as the one that it has in it now.
It may be brass instead of black, but you could color it black with model paint or a magic-marker if it bothers you.

rc

 

[Grunt Medic TXARNG]

Could be done, absolutely - but it will almost certainly be easier and cheaper to buy a rig that will fit your G29. There are a number of modular rigs out there that will fit your described needs - please take a look at the BlackHawk SERPA holster and the Mod-U-Lok platform (which also attaches over the belt, like the Bianchi) to attach it to any belt, and see if that meets your requirements.

 

[Grunt Medic TXARNG]

I took the holster to Tactical Tailor in Lakewood (WA) but the guy kinda hemmed and hawed about doing it. He mentioned something about the plastic rivet at the trigger guard area that he would have to remove and couldn’t replace. For a company that supposedly specializes in tactical tailoring and custom holsters, they didn’t seem to have any ideas. He was trying to steer me towards one of their off-the-shelf holsters for like the G17 which didn’t really fit (too tight) and still had extra holster below the gun. In the end it was a long drive for nothing.

The Bianchi attachment system lends itself to backpacking and hiking. There’s no possible way to thread the pack’s belt through a regular holster’s belt slots because the plastic buckle is WAY too big to fit. The Bianchi military holster allows you to attach it down over the belt.

Does anyone know where I could have a Bianchi holster so modified? I can’t imagine it would be much work for someone who knows what they’re doing.

Once upon a time, Tactical Tailor was a true custom shop - which means they could make or modify anything you wnated at discount prices -and they barely paid their bills. Now they're a production shop that has to worry about profit - so one-off jobs like yours just aren't profitable for them. If you don't like my recommendation regarding the Blackhawk system above, my other suggestion is to get a nylon G29 holster and have a shoe resoling shop or very capable tailor sew the UM84 attachment system to it.

Good luck!

 

[Mainsail]

Thanks for the replies!

Looking over the Bianchi website it looks like I'm using the M12 holster (improperly) for my G20.

They also make a Model UM92II but I'm not happy to see it's listed as fitting the Glock models 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, and 30. That's starting to sound like an Uncle Mikes fits-all holster, which fits none well.

The Model UM84III isn't listed for any Glock, but might work. I just need to find a store that stocks them to try one out.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I was surprised that I could jam the Glock 20SF in the UM84 holster I have, as is. No mods. It might be the one designed for the Beretta, instead of the 1911. Try some different UM84 holsters before you chop one up. It DOES make a nice package for the woods, and fits mine very well. I'll try to get a pic up tomorrow if I remember.

 

[dprice3844444]

why not just get one them cheap blackhawks

 

[Mainsail]

I was surprised that I could jam the Glock 20SF in the UM84 holster I have, as is. No mods. It might be the one designed for the Beretta, instead of the 1911. Try some different UM84 holsters before you chop one up. It DOES make a nice package for the woods, and fits mine very well.

That's what I have now, a G20SF in a M12 holster and it works great. I want to carry the G29SF though, and I want a holster that fits it.

 

[Mainsail]

why not just get one them cheap blackhawks

I haven't seen a cheap blackhawk holster other than the nylon series, which look like a copy of the Uncle Mikes crap. Blackhawk also lists one size as fitting all the Glock pistols, which makes me want to ask, "Uh, Blackhawk knows that all those pistols have different barrel lengths...right?"

I have a Serpa for both the G20 and the G29 (weird, they're not the same either) that I use for open carry here when I'm out on the town. When I'm hiking I prefer a holster that's closed at the bottom and covers as much of the gun as possible. It's wet here. "Hiking" sometimes involves glissading, which is a fancy term for falling and sliding down a hillside.

Given how dirty the holster is after some hikes, I think it better if the gun is well covered. I like the M-12 design because it covers and protects the gun, but the draw is still reasonably fast. I have the flap removed on mine and the thumb-break strap installed.

 

[Eaglestroker]

If you are willing to hack up your holster - I could point you in the right direction of how to do it yourself. Without seeing the holster I would guess it would take you 2-3 hours to restitch it by hand (the cutting is the easy part). Seeing as it's already been stitched you would only need to add new wholes with an awl (or drill bit) at the bottom of the holster.